Paper Pile

Paper Pile is the only place that will be upfront and honest about what it is: a big freaking pile of paper that has fallen over and become hundreds of other freaking big piles of paper… Large enough to support the entire complex in times of large earthquakes.
We stumbled upon this place purely out of curiosity, and it has become my favorite place ever since. Ada is the most unique and interesting individual you will ever meet in your life. She is sweet, yet sardonic. Gentle, but firm. Each visit is like meeting her for the first time again.
I will admit, 90% of my feels for her stems from her thinking I am 14. Whenever I remind her that I am not, she forgets after 10 seconds and thinks I am 14 again… What’s not to like? She then starts telling satirical stories about race, WWII, immigration, her theories on our misuse of taxes, Mr. President, and her early life as a traveling teacher (or all of the above, depending on how much time you have).
The store itself is interesting. There’s a small path that stretches (but not too far) into her cave. As others have mentioned, it makes you reminiscent of the show «Hoarders», except a little more stuffed and minus the cat urine. She admits there are over 700 items, most of which she advertises on eBay. This lady has managed to smuggle every item she has met eyes with! Postcards from all over the world, different types of advertisements from the 20s and 30s, Broadway scripts and posters, movie posters, magazine cutouts, vanity photos of old celebrities, buttons, and many more — with each item tied to a special story.
Her store lays odd hours, so it’s always advised to call before stopping by. However, if you’re lucky, you may just catch her paving compost off her driveway!
Long Live Ada!

I regularly watch Hoarders. This place should on the show. Talk about a Goat Trail. I could barely walk through the piles of stuff this lady has. Yeah, she has a lot of paper collectibles but how on earth can you ever FIND anything when it’s jammed in there tighter than a cork in a 100 yr old bottle of wine? All I really wanted to do was waste some time and maybe buy something, but then she started talking politics. My advice is to walk away if she does that to you. It was a real turn off for her to go off on Obama’s birth certificate, how she was the co-​creator of the term ‘African American” and other nonsense. Look, I get that she is old but the «i walked 10 miles in snow up hill talk» gets old after a few minutes. I had no idea she was also such a racist. She went off on Mexican immigrants until I could barely stand. You know «those people» are why this country is going downhill. Man. I thought people in Marin were progressive. I guess I found the old batty racist.
I just want folks to be prepared that if they go in here, keep your mouth shut and just poke around. DO NOT ENGAGE her unless you are a card carrying member of the GOP or you want to hear about the Great Depression. I’ve been there done that with relatives and I don’t want to hear it again when I’m shopping…

I agree with the first two reviewers — if you are looking for ephemera, Paper Pile is the place to go. Just expect to be there longer than you expected and to be engaged in very interesting conversation by the owner, Ada. Frankly, I didn’t spend as much time shopping as I did conversing! She is amazing. I enjoyed my visit and will be back. As for her ephemera — I collect old Worlds Fair memorabilia and she had everything they printed. If I had a million (or more) dollars, my garage would look like her shop! Thankfully, I’ve limited myself to two small baskets — when they’re full, that’s it! Whew! Go see Ada! You won’t be sorry!

Amazing store! Ada, the owner, is sweet and hilarious to talk to. It’s incredible what you can find here. Ada is getting on in her years so she can’t be at the store all days of the week so it’s best to call her to see when she’ll be there or she’ll try to make an appointment to open the store for you.

If you are ever in San Anselmo, see if Ada’s place is open… her collections of postcards, posters, magazines, and other collectibles, paper and otherwise, are amazing. She is a history buff and fun to talk with. This is a one of a kind place.